Obituaries from January 2021

Marvin Hesterman Sept. 16, 1932 - Dec. 31, 2020 ATWOOD, Kan. — Marvin Hesterman, 88, of Atwood, died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, at Wheat Haven Home in McDonald, Kan. He was born Sept. 16, 1932, near Ludell, Kan., to John and Margaret (Holste) Hesterman. He was raised on the family farm, graduating from Atwood High School in 1951...

Robert John Stuver Feb. 29, 1944 - Dec. 17, 2020 GUIDE ROCK, Neb. — Robert John “R.J.” Stuver was born in McCook, Neb., on Feb. 29, 1944, and died in Guide Rock, Neb., on Dec. 17, 2020. He was a member of the 1960 Bison Football 10-0 Big Ten Conference Champions. R.J. was a Vietnam combat veteran...

Martin Louis Fortkamp June 13, 1920 - Dec. 31, 2020 WAUNETA, Neb. — Martin Louis Fortkamp departed this life Dec. 31, 2020, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook at the age of 100. Martin was born June 13, 1920, on the south divide in rural Chase County, Neb., to Henry C. and Sophia (Haarberg) Fortkamp in the family home...

Susan Eleanor Hardwick McCOOK, Neb. — Susan Eleanor Hardwick, 99, of McCook, died Thursday (Dec. 31, 2020), at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. Memorial services will be at a later date. Online condolences can be left at www.carpenterbreland.com. Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements...

Phillis Rose Brown Jan. 19, 1922 - Jan. 4, 2021 CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Phillis Rose Brown, age 98, formerly of Cambridge, passed away at the Holdrege Memorial Homes on Jan. 4, 2021. She was a twin, born at home near Norman, Neb., on Jan. 19, 1922, to Christian and Agnes (Larsen) Sorensen. Phillis attended country school and later graduated from Cambridge High School in 1940...

Robert LeRoy Ruppert April 18, 1938 - Jan. 3, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Robert LeRoy Ruppert, age 82, of McCook, died Jan. 3, 2021. He was born on April 18, 1938, to Jay and Doris (Meissner) Ruppert at Quick, Neb. (Frontier County). He married Velma Jean Speth on Dec. 26, 1957, whom he was married to for 63 years...

Donna Rae Bailey Nov. 26, 1940 - Dec. 31, 2020 McCOOK, Neb. — Donna Rae Bailey, 80, of McCook and formerly of Arapahoe, passed away Dec. 31, 2020, at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born to Edward “Ted” Charles and Olive Delphine (Keller) Smith on Nov. 26, 1940...

Corky Eugene Tyan Jan. 31, 1963 - Dec. 31, 2020 NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Corky Eugene Tyan formerly of North Platte, passed away Dec. 31, 2020 near Indianola, Neb. Corky was born Jan. 31, 1963, in North, Neb., to Edward (Cork) and Cleo (Slater) Tyan. He was the oldest of five children born to this union...

Cynthia “Cindy” Sue Fries Aug. 2, 1954 - Jan. 5, 2021 BENKELMAN, Neb. — Cindy Fries, of Benkelman, passed away on Jan. 5, 2021, at the Dundy County Hospital after an extended and courageous battle with breast cancer. Cindy was born on Aug. 2, 1954, to Walter and Jean (Howard) Blecha. ...

Eugene Leighton Pracht June 22, 1948 - Jan. 4, 2021 BROKEN BOW, Neb. — Eugene Leighton Pracht was born June 22, 1948, in Broken Bow to the late Howard Pracht and Dorthy (Fox) Pracht. Eugene was the first of two sons, followed by brother, Dale Howard Pracht. ...

Howard E. Hill June 5, 1926 – Jan. 2, 2021 LOVELAND, Colo. — Howard E. Hill passed away in Loveland at the age of 94. He was born on a farm northwest of McCook, Neb. He was the second youngest of eight children born to Charles and Pearl Hill. Howard married Darleen J. Frick on Nov. 24, 1945, in Oberlin, Kan...

Edward Wayne Whitmore Sept. 24, 1922 - Jan. 6, 2021 CURTIS,Neb. — Edward Wayne Whitmore, 98, of Curtis died Jan. 6, 2021, at Great Plains Health. He was born Sept. 24, 1922, the second son of Charles and Cora Whitmore, at the family home in Moorefield, Neb. ...

Jeanette M. Burkhalter BIRD CITY, Kan. — Jeanette M. Burkhalter, 61, of Bird City, died Friday (Jan. 8, 2021), at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Neb. Survivors include husband, Kevin of Bird City; children, Jenna (Jonathan) Dare of Byers, Colo., and Beau Burkhalter of McDonald, Kan.; brother, Doug (Margaret) Downing of McCook, Neb.; and eight grandchildren...

Mackay Stevens Brown May 30, 1928 - Jan. 11, 2021 MAYWOOD, Neb. — Mackay Brown, 92, of Maywood, died Jan. 11, 2021, at Senior Living Choices, Curtis, Neb. Mackay Stevens Brown was born to Clyde and Esse (Stevens) Brown on May 30, 1928, on the homestead settled by his grandparents, Amos Dawson and Sarah Pauline Stevens in 1895 in Hayes County, Neb...

Roger M. Wilmot April 25, 1948 - Dec. 18, 2020 ESCONDIDO Calif. — Roger M. Wilmot passed away on Dec. 18, 2020, in Escondido, after a lengthy illness. He was born April 25, 1948, in McCook Neb. He was the third child of Velva and Raymond Wilmot. Roger grew up in McCook, graduated with the McCook High School Class of of 1966, and attended Kearney State College, graduating in 1971. ...

Eileen Kay Meagher-Holsten Dec. 26, 1939 - Jan. 16, 2021 McCOOK, Neb — Eileen Kay Meagher-Holsten, age 81, of McCook, passed away on Jan. 16, 2021. She was born in Benkelman, Neb., on Dec. 26, 1939, to Leonard and Alberta (Mathew) Miller. Eileen graduated from Beauty College and opened the Chateau Continental in McCook until 1986. ...

Dennis “Denny” Brunkhorst July 11, 1949. - Jan. 14, 2021 PALISADE, Neb. — Dennis “Denny” Brunkhorst, 71, of Palisade, passed away on Jan. 14, 2021, at his home in Palisade. He was born to Ivan and Lorene (Duhm) Brunkhorst on July 11, 1949. He loved country life and he never met a stranger. Denny loved watching sports, especially the Huskers and Denver Bronco football...

Leta Gardner Feb. 22, 1933 - Jan 8, 2021 VAN NUYS, Calif. — Leta Gardner, 87, of Van Nuys, passed away peacefully at her home on Jan 8, 2021. She was born in Max, Neb., on Feb. 22, 1933, to Clarence “Bud” and Ruth Wickizer. Leta was the oldest daughter of nine siblings. She started her education at a country school north of Max. Her family moved south of Stratton, Neb., where she graduated in 1950...

Steven Duane Bixler Sept. 18, 1959 - Jan. 14, 2021 PALISADE, Neb. — The family of Steven Duane Bixler of Palisade is saddened to announce his passing on Jan. 14, 2021, at age 61. He was born in McCook, Neb., on Sept. 18, 1959, to Duane and Darlene (Wilson) Bixler. Steve attended and graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1977. He was a talented athlete and succeeded in football, baseball, basketball, and track and field. He held the high school high jump record at HCHS for over 40 years...

Karen Sue Henry March 28, 1942 - Jan. 16, 2021 LINCOLN, Neb. — Karen Sue Henry passed away Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at Bryan West Hospital in Lincoln with her four children by her side. Karen was born March 28, 1942, in Holdrege, Neb., to Roy and Mary Ann Burgeson. She grew up in Holdrege with her brothers, Jim, John, Dave and Mike, and sister, Mary Lou...

Robert “Bob” Lewis Christie July 1, 1930 - Jan. 20, 2021 McCOOK,Neb. — Robert “Bob” Lewis Christie, 90, of McCook, passed away Wednesday evening, Jan. 20, 2021 at his home in McCook. He was born to Robert and Clara (Schoonover) Christie on July 1, 1930, in Joliet, Ill. ...

Mary S. Green Oct. 8, 1940 - Jan. 17, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Mrs. Mary S. Green, age 80, of McCook, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Community Hospital in McCook. Mary was born Oct. 8, 1940, in Louisville, Ky., to parents, John Gilbert and Gladys Louise (McCoy) Crady. Mary attended school in the Denver, Colo., area, graduating from high school in 1958...

Nancy Vera Felker Oct. 18, 1953 - Jan. 21, 2021 OMAHA, Neb. — Nancy Vera Felker, 67, was born Oct. 18, 1953, and raised in McCook, Neb. Nancy spent her remaining years in Lincoln and Omaha before passing on to her forever home on Jan. 21, 2021. She graduated with her class in 1972...

Galen G. Todd June 10, 1953 - Jan. 20, 2021 WAUNETA, Neb. — Galen Todd passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 20, 2021. Galen Gene Todd was born June 10, 1953, to Duaine and Bonnie (Behlke) Todd. He grew up in Benkelman and graduated with the Class of 1972. He attended Western Nebraska Technical College to study Auto Body in Sidney, Neb., and graduated in 1974. After graduation, Galen started working for Sinner’s Paint & Body Shop in Wauneta, Neb., where he worked until his passing...

Elaine L. Frank June 18, 1932 -Jan. 23, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Elaine L. Frank, age 88, of McCook, died peacefully at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. She was born June 18, 1932, to Harry E. Sr. and Opal (McCord) Smith in Cambridge, Neb. She grew up on the farm near Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1949...

Kenneth Kunnemann Dec. 1, 1931 - Jan. 20, 2021 IMPERIAL, Neb. — Kenneth Henry Kunnemann was born northwest of Imperial, on Dec. 1, 1931, to George and Rosa (Haarberg) Kunnemann. Ken was baptized on Dec. 20, 1931, and confirmed on May 20, 1945, at the Lutheran Church in Imperial. ...

Sharon Maree Mills Dec. 27, 1956 - Jan. 21, 2021 ADAMS, Neb. — Sharon Maree Mills, 64, of Adams, died Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, at a Lincoln Hospital. She was born on Dec. 27, 1956, in McCook, Neb., to Donald and Shirley (Hatcher) Nelms. She graduated from Republican Valley High School and Hastings College. She married Mike Klein and they were blessed with two children, Jeremy and Kelsey. She later married Rex Mills on July 30, 2005 in Ansley...

Georgia Nell Hector Dec. 12, 1930 - Jan. 24, 2021 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Georgia Nell Hector, 90, of Arapahoe, died Sunday (Jan. 24, 2021), at her home. She was born Dec. 12, 1930, in Metropolis, Ill.,to Vernie T. and Nell (Kennedy) Barnett. She married Howard Hector on Feb. 7, 1954, in Metropolis...

Thomas Jensen Jr. CARSON CITY, Nev. — Thomas Jensen Jr., 41, of Carson City, died Oct. 11, 2020, in Carson City. Services are Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, 10:30 a.m., at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements...

Richard Fisher McCOOK, Neb. — Richard Fisher, 60, of McCook, died Dec. 21, 2020, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Memorial services are Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, 10:30 a.m., at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. Memorials can be given to the family for future designation. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com...

Opal Marie Huntley June 9, 1935 - Jan. 26, 2021 OBERLIN, Kan. — Opal was born in Fort Lupton, Colo., on June 9, 1935, to Roy and Pearl (Shephard) Cross, she had two brothers, Kenneth and Lydell Cross. She passed away Jan. 26, 2021, at Decatur Health...

Cloyd Hoyt July 26, 1918 - Jan. 17, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Cloyd Hoyt of rural McCook, lately residing in Iowa, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at the Madison County Memorial Hospital in Winterset, Iowa. He was 102. Cloyd Franklin Hoyt was born in McCook on July 26, 1918, to James Franklin and Hazel Mae (Thomson) Hoyt. ...